IACHR grants precautionary measures in favor of Eduardo Emiro Labrador, member of the Legislative Council of the Venezuelan state of Zulia

November 27, 2024

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 88/2024 on November 25, 2024, to grant precautionary measures in favor of Eduardo Emiro Labrador in Venezuela, in the belief that he faces a serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to his rights to life and personal integrity.

According to the request for these precautionary measures, the beneficiary was arrested on October 18, 2024, by officers of the Zulia regional police, and he was taken to an unknown location. The situation has allegedly not changed since then, despite the fact that his representatives have conducted various searches and pursued other domestic remedies. The IACHR noted the State's failure to provide the information that had been requested and its failure to implement protection measures, which appear to leave the beneficiary defenseless and vulnerable in Venezuela's current context.

Consequently, in keeping with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR asked the State of Venezuela to take the following action:

1. Adopt any measures necessary to protect Eduardo Emiro Labrador's rights to life and personal integrity: In particular, the State should report on whether the beneficiary is in State custody (and, if so, provide the details of his arrest) or on any measures taken to establish his fate or whereabouts. For the IACHR, it is essential that, in case the beneficiary has been charged with any crimes, the State disclose whether he has been taken before a court of competent jurisdiction so his arrest might be reviewed. Otherwise, the State should provide the reasons why the beneficiary has so far not been released. In any case, the IACHR asks the State to report on the status of the potential criminal case that might have been launched against the beneficiary, and allow his family and legal counsel to have contact with him. The IACHR further asks the State to say whether the beneficiary has undergone a medical examination, and to provide the relevant documentation.
2. Implement any measures necessary to enable the beneficiary to conduct his activities as a member of an opposition political party and of the Legislative Council of the state of Zulia without being subjected to threats, harassment, or any other acts of violence
3. Come to an agreement with the beneficiary and his family and representatives concerning any measures that need to be taken
4. Report on any actions adopted to investigate the events that gave rise to the adoption of these precautionary measures, in order to prevent such events from happening again in the future

The fact that these precautionary measures have been granted and their adoption by the State do not entail a prejudgment on a potential petition that may be filed before the inter-American system to allege violations of rights protected by the American Convention on Human Rights and other applicable instruments.

The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 297/24

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